In India
August 4th, 2010
Aug. 4, 2010
In India.
2 words packed with meaning and if you have never travelled with me here and been engaged in all that is going on these words might seem simplistic. The reality though is these 2 words are packed with meaning.
Just getting here has been a task. When this trip was booked it was done with thoughts of quick connections and flight times, no weather issues to be leery of, and hopefully no setbacks. Why was I dreaming or some might say what was I smoking? Sorry, I don’t smoke so that is out, but whenever you travel I have come to learn that obstacles always find a way of presenting themselves.
This trip was no different, just about a week before departure “things” started happening, team members suffering freak accidents, family members suffering from traumatic events, realizations that school calendars weren’t consulted when setting dates for the trip (thus 2 people will miss their kid’s 1st day back), and what else went on, oh, there were physical injuries and then the unforeseen airline flight delays and yes, even cancellations.
How is it that an airline decides to cancel a flight full of people on a weekday involving an important market, let’s say San Francisco to Chicago and LA to Chicago? No idea why this happens and yet it does but on the day we travel and to us? Nothing like running around covering last minute details before I head off to the airport when you get a call saying I am at the airport and they just cancelled my flight? SHUT UP!!!!!!!!! Is what I utter and the reply is no really, this time I am not messing, the airline just cancelled my flight. Fast forward 30 minutes and another call, Mike, they just cancelled my flight. What is going on? San Francisco and LA both cancelling flights to Chicago, you know how many flights they have and they cancel these with my team members on them? Disgusting I say, utterly disgusting.
Things worked out in the end; Valerie who was leaving from SFO was sent to Hong Kong and then got a connecting flight to Chennai and Michael was put on a series of planes and ultimately will arrive in India a day late, but none the less will arrive…just in time to get some sleep and jump back on another plane.
We all know the ups and downs of travel and no doubt we experienced our share of challenges and yet there are many out there who would say this is nothing and they are probably right. It all depends on one’s perspective which leads me back to my opening 2 words, in India.
India has a way of bringing perspective to life.
Life here is much different than in America. Hopefully in the next 10 days I and others can communicate how much different it really is but one thought to leave you with, maybe this is really the norm and what we have in America is unique.
Think about it.
I had another friend who was on a flight to Chicago and got redirected to another city. She thought she’d heard it had to do with Obama flying into Chicago at the same time, so maybe that’s what happened to those other flights too.
Stay safe and well doing your good work.
Best Blessings,